Can the width of the pelvis guide hip-centre position in knee surgery?
Variability in the range of inter-anterior superior iliac spine distance and its correlation with femoral head centre: a prospective computed tomography study of 200 adults
In simple words
During knee replacement, surgeons need to know where the centre of the hip is. This study tested whether the bony points at the front of the pelvis can be used as a guide.
What the study looked at
CT scans of 200 adults, measuring the distance between the two front pelvic bone points and between the two hip-joint centres.
What it found
The width between the pelvic bone points varied a lot between people (about 22.7 cm on average). The distance between the hip centres was far more consistent (about 16 cm). Sex affected both, but height and body weight did not.
Why it matters for patients
Because the hip-centre distance is so consistent, it can support a practical way to locate the hip centre during knee surgery.
Authors: Mullaji A, Shetty GM, Kanna R, Sharma A · Skeletal Radiol 2010;39(4):363–368